A FORMER Saddleworth railway station house will be demolished and replaced with a single ‘self-build’ property if planning permission is given.
Oldham Council previously gave the outline OK for four properties to be placed at the site of the former Friezland Station House, on Station Lane in Greenfield.
Now after saying conditions over access – namely the need to upgrade and resurface Station Lane – ‘made the small housing scheme unviable and potentially undeliverable’- Paul Bamber has now asked for outline permission to build just one home.
And Station Lane will remain as it is if the full go ahead is eventually granted.
Documents supporting the application state: “The house itself suffers from structural issues and is in a poor state of repair having not been lived in for many years.
“The council was satisfied that the layout of the four houses would not result in any impact on the amenity of neighbouring properties and the residential use of the site was compatible with the surrounding land uses.
“It was finally established that the council required Station Lane to be significantly upgraded and resurfaced, making the small housing scheme unviable and potentially undeliverable.
“The outline planning permission remains live, but there is limited prospect of it being taken forward due to the excessive costs associated with the required highway works.
“The applicant lives locally with his family and has strong connections to the area.
“He is planning to undertake a self-build house and has commissioned an architect to design the house to his specifications.
“It will meet the council’s housing strategy and provide a much-needed high-quality home in a sustainable location.
“The proposal seeks to replace Station House with a new house and as such the net increase in traffic flow will not be any greater than exists at present.
“Station Lane has historically served the historic Friezland Station and as such is considered a suitable access road to serve the traffic generated by a replacement dwelling.
“It is considered that the proposed development would not cause any greater impact on the local highway network and as a result there is no planning reason why the planning permission should require any upgrading of Station Lane or the junction of Station Lane with Manchester Road.”
Freizland Station, on the Micklehurst Loop Line, opened on July 1, 1886. It closed to passengers on January 1, 1917, with it completely closing on February 27, 1965.
The two flanking platforms and connected footbridge were to the rear of the building, which have long since gone.
With the closure of the Micklehurst Loop railway line, it was converted into a house.
Oldham Council’s Planning Committee will decide whether to grant or refuse permission.
You must be logged in to post a comment.